[Chad Ford Insider] Hou working on 4 team deal [Update: Done Deal - Ariza for C Lee]

When Lee was a rookie in Orlando after playing in the playoffs a lot of people started talking about how good his potential is.

Also remember during the draft I think Courtney Lee is a person the Front Office wanted or at least a lot of people on this board was hoping that we drafted him.

 

It makes the team a lot better.

1. We now have a true NBA caliber backup SG

2. We had too many SF's on the roster, and not enough minutes which is a big chemistry risk.

3. Lee is another expiring contract= much more flexibility.

DD

 

Observation 1 -- I wonder if the Rockets saw something regarding Ariza's feet -- one of the Laker concerns about him.

Observation 2 -- Jermaine Taylor has to crying in his pillow right now.

Observation 3 -- As much as I like Lee, this does not seem like equal value for Ariza even with the luxury tax savings. Did we get a draft pick in there from somewhere?

 

I love this move....

First off as many have stated Ariza and Shane are almost equal..

1. This move allows C-Bud to grow and learn from Shane.

2. If i'm not mistaken Shane's contract is up this year, so this gives Morey some space to work with, without trying to find his replacement.

3. This gives the Rocks a legit 2 guard as a backup and insurance, when and if K-Mart goes down.

4. It also gives you Cap Space at the end of the year.

Good move Morey...

T_Man

 

I love how everyone freaks out over losing players like Ariza and Alston. Ariza could have been a nice piece next to Yao, but I'm glad to be rid of him. Even in his last Laker year he wasn't vital. This move clears a logjam at SF and gets us a nice backup SG for the injury prone Martin. I actually like Lee's game a lot.

Martin/Lee
Battier/Budinger

vs

Martin/JT
Ariza/Budinger/Battier

How does anyone consider this move a step back?

 

I don't get it, is it freeing up some money or something else, bcuz I never liked courtney lee.

 

IF Lee had so much potential and was a good starter, why did Orlando trade him for the washed up Vince Carter??????????

Its not like DH is 30 years old.

If Lee was that good, they would allowed him to develop since DH is also young.

 

they did but only against certain teams that also had small backcourts as a long term backcourt option it is not good as they are too small as a pairing. Rick had to play both more of out necessity than anything else. I am not saying that a AB/Lowry backcourt wont be seen but I believe it will be far less next season



Yeah I live in LA County msg me through the board we can exchange contact info I try to meet up with a few so cal rockets fans throughout the season (usually weekends) to watch games together

 

Kyle Lowry seems a bit upset. It doesnt seem the Rockets organization has a good rep when dealing with players. They are human beings not just assets.

 

you forgot, "IMO."

 

can someone post this in another thread?

ESPN's Future Power Rankings: Teams 1-5.

thanks

 

So you have no confidence a player can get better between years 1 and 2? That's pretty harsh.

 

A clear salary dump.

Les is being Les.

I wonder Yao will play the season or not.

 

LOL@ observation 2.

And we don't get draft picks according to reports.

 

About Ariza, I didn't think he was a bad player, nor did I think he was a good player....average at best...many could make the argument that his struggles resulted from the fact that the Rox had him do more than he was capable of doing, but that his numbers did improve once we acquired Kevin Martin...

I think the move is warranted for a numbers of reasons:

1. Shedding cap space - if you can make a lateral move and save money = no brainer

2. Lee is younger than Ariza in terms of basketball years with him entering his 3rd season and Ariza his 7th - less mileage on the body

3. The need for depth at backup at SG - we still don't know too much of what Taylor can bring to the table and this move at least gives us depth at a position where we sorely needed

4. Believe it or not, IMO I thought Ariza would have been a better option coming off the bench with his ability to score more in comparison to Battier...this move has Battier moving back to the starting SF position where he will fit in nicely w/ Brooks, Martin, Scola and Yao

5. I think an important factor that is overlooked is that one of the reasons that Ariza was so uncomfortable was actually the system (in addition to the team asking him to do more than originally planned)...with the Lakers, Ariza was mildly successful due to the fact that Kobe and Gasol commanded so much attention, so the Lakers could defect to Ariza....I love the Rox but we really don't have anybody outside of Yao (when healthy) who commands that kind of attention....also, IMO I think the transition from the triangle offense Jackson runs in comparison to Adelman's fast paced offense did not suit Ariza's abilities as much as people would have liked...

 

Only thing I'm going to miss about Ariza is the highlight dunks. Definitely not going to miss the atrocious dribbling clinics he put up trying to create his own shot.

 

The NBA is a business. Every team makes trades so do you think that about every single NBA team?

The Rockets are no different from any other team in the NBA.

 

Yall can paint this trade anyway you want and i will play the bad guy once again, this was a pure salary dump and i like courtney lee. Lee with chase,taylor,and martin makes 0 sense. Ariza with chris paul makes alot of sense for them. This does not make the rockets better, but maybe morey sees it as no sense to pay lux tax for an average team.

 

it's a business. that's why people need to stop this loyalty BS.

teams will do what is best for the team. players will do what is best for the players.

 

It okay trade I guess....

Kinda sad to see Ariza go, I wanted to see him play with Yao. But oh well C. Lee will be great back up SG!

--RB